LAURIE WEIR
MISSISSIPPI MILLS — As it works to preserve the past, the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority is also trying to solve a funding issue.
The MVCA says it can no longer rely on temporary municipal funding to support the Mill of Kintail Museum, and is weighing a potential shift away from its role as steward of the Dr. R. Tait McKenzie and Dr. James Naismith collections.
Dr. James Naismith, born in Almonte, is credited with inventing the game of basketball in 1891 and remains one of Canada’s most internationally recognized sports figures.
Dr. R. Tait McKenzie, also from Lanark County, was a celebrated sculptor, physician and pioneer in physical education.
The Mill of Kintail houses a dedicated museum featuring both men’s personal artifacts, artworks and historical materials; much of it tied to their time at the site and their contributions to sport, medicine and Canadian heritage. The two were childhood friends who often spent time together at the mill.
Scott Lawryk, MVCA property manager, spoke with Hometown News on Aug. 14 about the issue. He said the museum has operated at a loss for three years. A five-year agreement with member municipalities, now at its halfway point, is the only thing keeping it open.
“It literally comes down to a financial issue,” Lawryk said. “The province has told us you cannot spend money on that right now.”
A 2019 change to the Conservation Authorities Act restricted the use of levy funding. Only “Category 1” programs, those tied to flood control, watershed monitoring and hazard mitigation, qualify. The museum is classified as “Category 3,” and falls outside MVCA’s core mandate.
“We’re a little over 18 months into that five-year MOU,” Lawryk said. “It would be irresponsible for us not to have some sort of Plan B.”
Mississippi Mills council recently passed a motion directing Mayor Christa Lowry to lead a conversation with MVCA, calling for national partners to help preserve the collections.
Lawryk said no decision has been made on the future of the museum or the collections.
“We’re status quo and full steam ahead until a decision is made,” he said. “We’re still running exhibits, still painting the building. People are looking at this like it’s a done deal and it’s not.”
Despite an annual visitor count of about 7,000, the museum has struggled to secure summer job grants and now operates with a seasonal curator. MVCA has shifted day-pass revenue to help cover museum costs and reduced heating expenses by moving fragile artifacts to a nearby climate-controlled storage site during the off-season.
“It’s a 200-year-old stone building,” Lawryk said. “It’s pretty much heat in, heat out.”
MVCA’s broader focus includes oversight of 19 water control structures across 4,400 square kilometres, a role under increasing pressure due to extreme weather and low water conditions.
“This summer, the water levels are as low as I’ve seen them,” Lawryk said. “Most of our dams operate the same way they did 200 years ago. Right now, we’re putting in tars between the logs to tighten them up and hold back more water.”
The “tars” are sealing materials staff wedge between logs in traditional dams to reduce water loss during low-flow conditions.
If the MVCA board chooses to change direction, Lawryk said the building would remain in use, but with a new mandate centred on watershed education and conservation.
“We envision showcasing our watershed: how it works, where water flows, what our role is in controlling it,” he said.
MVCA is working with the Canadian Conservation Institute on preservation options. Some of McKenzie’s sculptures, too heavy to move, may remain in place to avoid damage.
“There are casts upstairs that are hundreds of pounds,” Lawryk said. “Maybe it’s better if they’re just left.”
If a transition occurs, Lawryk said it will still cost money to divest the collections properly.
“We’re not trying to get rid of it,” he said. “But we’d be irresponsible not to have a backup plan.”
Mill of Kintail Museum Timeline
2019: Province updates Conservation Authorities Act; museums deemed outside core mandate;
2023: MVCA signs five-year funding agreement with member municipalities (expires 2028)
2024: Levy funding officially ends for museum operations; strategic plan enters review
Summer 2025: MVCA consults public on future of the museum and collections
Fall 2025: Consultation results and options go to MVCA board for direction
By end of 2025: Final decision expected on future use of the building and collections
Catch up on Part One: National push urged to protect Mill of Kintail’s Naismith, McKenzie collections